Focus On...

…Bobby, Participant in SMART programme, George Steven Centre:
 

Bobby is a 40 year old man who has Downs Syndrome.  He suffers from Type 2 Diabetes. Prior to SMART support, Bobby shared his home with his father who would administer insulin and monitor his blood sugar levels. Unfortunately Bobby’s Father passed away and Bobby was left to deal with his medical condition on a daily basis.

 

Bobby struggled to cope with the changes and adapt to life as an independent adult, his diet was poor, he would administer insulin at the wrong times and even the wrong dose, he was also known to over check his blood sugar levels, resulting in his skin becoming sore and inflamed from needle pricks. Bobby’s unmonitored Diabetes further resulted in him being admitted to hospital on several occasions.

The SMART approach has continually supported Bobby in all aspects of his daily living, encouraging him to be as independent as possible. Bobby’s Diabetes is now very strictly monitored with Bobby taking the lead role. Bobby is more aware than ever of the importance of eating the right food, although he still likes to have the odd treat!  Bobby checks his blood sugars and administers insulin independently with staff present both morning and night, all results are now recorded and Bobby as well as staff know the protocol if things aren’t right. Thanks to the SMART team Bobby is now also under a diabetic specialist who works closely with him.

 

Jo-Anne Graham

Project Worker SMART

Tenancy Worker for Bobby

 

 

 

Employability in Ayrshire through George Steven Centre, Kilbirnie

 

 

 

This year has seen an exciting twist in our already established programme.  We have begun to widen our sights, hopes and dreams within the Training and Employability field to promote further partnership working with our local community and to offer a new innovative range of learning opportunities for our service users.

 

Over the past year, we have gone from strength to strength in our already established training placements.  We currently have 9 service users and 2 volunteers training in our purpose build community café which is attached to the George Steven Centre.  The café known as The Blend In Café gives real life training experiences to adults with learning disabilities.  The service users work through their person centred care plans to achieve their chosen outcomes. The dedicated staff are on hand to provide guidance, build bespoke training plans and offer support where required.  The café is a busy place with both a sit-in and take-away service.  Trainees therefore are able to immerse themselves within a busy lifelong learning environment which will equip them with every skill necessary to work in a café.

 

We also continue to work in partnership with The Salvation Army charity shops in Irvine, Kilwinning and Largs.  We have three service users training within this type of work.  This is a successful venture which also encourages independent travel to the locations in question.  Service users are learning the skills associated with the retail industry.  

 

We have a Domestic skills training programme running also.  Service Users are able to gather valuable transferable skills in which to use within their daily lives and own tenancies.

 

Through various funding streams, we have been blessed with some much needed cash which will aid us to expand our Training and Employability opportunities for Adults with Learning Disabilities.  From summer 2014, we are aiming to work with other charities and social enterprises in our local community and to create realistic, meaningful and fun training/work placements for the people in which we serve.

 

Watch this space!